Marcus Dixon CONVICTED Ten Years for Child Molestation

[cyborg]

I just heard that Marcus Dixon has been convicted of child molestation. Ten years in prison...a complete outrage esp. since the girl said she lied anout the rape.

[cyborg]

http://www.accessnorthga.com/news/ap_newfullstory.asp?ID=32764

[OldSmaj]

And we care because...?

The guy was already convicted and has been in prison for several months.

Where have you been?

[Eala]

In a recent case before the state Supreme Court, lawyers for 18-year-old Marcus Dixon argued that a decade-long mandatory sentence for aggravated child molestation was cruel and unusual. The trial judge said during sentencing that his hands are tied by the Legislature insofar as the mandatory minimum.

This sounds like the conviction isn't too recent...

[cyborg]

He was in prison for a false rape charge and today he was sentenced to ten years in prison for child molestation. Just because YOU don't care doesn't mean I don't have to.

[cyborg]

That's what I just heard today on ABC radio that the decision went down for him to spend ten years in prison.

[Prime Choice]

He was in prison for a false rape charge and today he was sentenced to ten years in prison for child molestation.

If these are facts not in dispute, what is the problem here?

Yes, it's a bad thing that a false charge of rape was made. That doesn't erase his having sex with an underage girl.

[green iguana]

He was 18, she was 15, the sex was consensual. Ten years in prison for that? But this hardly belongs in breaking news...

[cyborg]

She was three months away from turning sixteen then it woul have been legal. I think ten years for teen sex is a bit harsh.

[cyborg]

If I am in error in putting this in breaking news, then take it out by all means.

[Prime Choice]

He was 18, she was 15, the sex was consensual. Ten years in prison for that?

The law is the law. 18 is defined as the age of majority (legally an adult), and 15 is defined as a minor. It is illegal for an adult to have sex with a minor, consensual or no. The legislature set minimum mandatory sentencing and the judge had to follow it.

Bottom line: the law is functioning as it was designed to function. And I don't know about anyone else in this thread, but if that 15-year-old girl had been my daughter, I sure as hell wouldn't want the 18-year-old boy to walk.

But this hardly belongs in breaking news...

I agree, but I didn't start this thread.

[Prime Choice]

She was three months away from turning sixteen then it woul have been legal. I think ten years for teen sex is a bit harsh.

I'm sure the father of this girl sees it that way, too. (/sarcasm)

[Sender]

That doesn't erase his having sex with an underage girl.

Dixon was convicted of the charge for having consensual sex with a 15-year-old classmate at his Rome high school.

Should we just throw all male high school students in prison then? They're all felons under this ridiculous ruling. Jeez Louise!

[Prime Choice]

Dixon was convicted of the charge for having consensual sex with a 15-year-old classmate at his Rome high school.

You're leaving out the fact that Dixon was 18 years of age: thus, and adult in the eyes of the law. Sex between a minor and an adult is illegal. Do you wish to change the law to make it okay? Your objection appears to indicate as much.

Should we just throw all male high school students in prison then? They're all felons under this ridiculous ruling.

If they are legal adults having sex with minors (statutory rape), then yes. Unless, of course, you want to encourage that sort of conduct.

But in the final analysis, you are not the father of the 15-year-old girl, so I don't think you have much room to pitch a fit in this case.

[cyborg]

Not expecting her father to be peachy keen about his daughter having sex. It was consentual though and ten years is a long time in prison.

[q_an_a]

a fifteen year old can not consent to sex. that is the law. everyone that got PO'ed at Klinton for having sex in the White House or lieing about Paula Jones, needs to look at sex laws and the fact that too many older (read adult men) are having sex with girls who are under age. 50% of out of wedlock births, repeat BIRTHS, are to underage girls with men who are 3 to 10 (repeat 10) years older than the girl. Want to end teenage welfare? stop guys like Dixon who have sex with underage girls. They can not consent.

Just like priests that rob boys of their innocence older men having sex with young girls are robbing them too. Where are the true social conservaties on these matters?

[Rifleman]

Yep, and in 1859 I suppose that you would have reported those escaped slaves to the slave catchers, because the law is the law.

The girl's dad should have kicked his butt and grounded his daughter for a year. Ten years in the slammer is stupid, evil, and cruel.

[Prime Choice]

Not expecting her father to be peachy keen about his daughter having sex.

No kidding. Were I the father, spending 10 years in jail would be the least of that boy's worries.

It was consentual though and ten years is a long time in prison.

Unless the laws become more "age sensitive," I'd say it'll remain that way. I'm sure no-one would rise to this guy's defense if he'd been 28, 38 or 48 and having sex with a 15-year-old girl.